DOT Finalizes Tank Car Standards Rule

10:19 AM MST | January 13, 2009 | Esther D'Amico

The Department of Transportation (DOT; Washington) has finalized a rule aimed at improving the integrity of rail tank cars carrying poison by inhalation (PIH) materials, pre-empting the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR; Washington) interchange standard for such cars. The final rule mandates that new cars are to be made under DOT interim design standards, which include some of the elements of DOT standards proposed last April. The final rule grandfathers for 20 years tank cars that comply with the finalized interim design standards. The agency plans...